All together now: the impact of a multifaceted approach to poverty alleviation
All together now: the impact of a multifaceted approach to poverty alleviation
We examine the impact of the Rural Entrepreneur Access Program (REAP), an example of an approach that combines multiple interventions with the aim of overcoming the constraints facing the ultrapoor. This program was implemented in an extreme setting (arid areas of northern Kenya) and emphasizes cash transfers (rather than asset transfers) to ultra-poor women, in addition to business skills training, business mentoring and savings trainings. Due to over-recruitment, the program was rolled-out in three rounds, with allocation to each round being randomly determined through a public lottery. In the short-run we find that the program has a positive and significant impact on income, savings and asset accumulation and food security.